Borussia Dortmund's Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck has suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and will be out for the remainder of the Bundesliga season, the club announced on Monday.
According to dpa information, the 25-year-old sustained the injury during training. Dortmund will first have to do without Schlotterbeck in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona on Wednesday.
"Nico's absence hits us very hard. He is a very important part of our team and has impressed this season with consistently strong performances," sporting director Sebastian Kehl said in a club statement.
He will receive "maximum support" on his road to recovery, Kehl added. It is unclear when the centre back will return and if he will be fit for the expanded Club World Cup in June.
The news is also unwelcome for Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Schlotterbeck was part of the squad which recently qualified for the Nations League finals for the first time.
Germany will face Portugal in the semi-finals on June 4 in Munich. The final and the third-place play-off are scheduled four days later.
